Lavezzi, Messi Score in First Half and Higuain Notches Second Half Brace for Argentina; USMNT to Face Colombia-Chile Loser in Third Place Match June 25 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

MNTJun 21, 2016

HOUSTON (June 21, 2016) – The U.S. Men’s National Team was defeated 4-0 by the world’s No. 1 team Argentina before a sellout crowd of 70,858 at NRG Stadium in the Semifinals of the 2016 Copa America Centenario.

Argentina got off to a quick start when Ezequiel Lavezzi headed home the opening goal in just the third minute. The U.S. gamely battled back, but found itself in a deeper hole when Lionel Messi curled an inch-perfect shot from 25 yards into the upper right corner for the 2-0 halftime lead.

The second frame followed a similar script as the U.S. fought to get back in the game through the offensive play of second half subs Christian Pulisic and Darlington Nagbe in between Gonzalo Higuain’s strike within the first five minutes of the restart and game capping goal four minutes from time.

The U.S. moves on to the tournament’s Third Place match against the loser of Wednesday’s other Semifinal between Colombia and reigning Copa America champion Chile. The Third Place match will be broadcast live on FX, Univision and UDN this Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. Fans can also follow the action on Twitter @ussoccer and @ussoccer_esp.

Goal Scoring Rundown:
ARG – Ezequiel Lavezzi (Lionel Messi), 3rd minute: From an early corner kick, the ball was partially cleared to the top of the U.S. box where Messi waited to collect any loose ball. The U.S. defense pushed out and Messi lifted an exquisite one-time chip into the path of Lavezzi who nodded a deft header over U.S. goalkeeper Brad Guzan for the early lead. USA 0, ARG 1

ARG – Lionel Messi, 32nd minute: After winninga free kick in the center of the field 27 yards from the U.S. goal, Messi sent a world-class free kick into the upper, right-hand corner of the goal to become Argentina’s all-time goal scoring leader. USA 0, ARG 2

ARG – Gonzalo Higuain, 50th minute: In the course of a counter attack, Argentina sent the ball to Lavezzi on the left wing and he whipped a cross toward the penalty spot where Higuain was ending his run. Having got behind the U.S. defense, Higuain attempted a one-time redirection on goal that Guzan was able to save; however, the rebound fell right to the Argentina striker, who controlled the ball and rounded a recovering Guzan to tap the ball into the empty net. USA 0, ARG 3

ARG – Gonzalo Higuain (Lionel Messi),86th minute: On a late turnover in the U.S. defensive third, Messi collected the loose ball and pushed into the U.S. penalty area before cutting the ball back to the penalty spot for Higuain to tap home. USA 0, ARG 4 FINAL

Next on the Schedule: The U.S. MNT continues the 2016 Copa America Centenario in the Third Place match against the loser between Colombia and Chile, who play on Wednesday night in the competition’s other Semifinal at 7 p.m. CT in Chicago. The Third Place match will be played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on June 25 at 8 p.m. ET.
Broadcast information: FX, Univision, UDN
Social: Twitter (@ussoccer; @ussoccer_esp); Facebook; Instagram

Additional Notes:

Three changes were made to the starting lineup from the 2-1 win against Ecuador, all due to the one-game suspensions for Alejandro Bedoya, Jermaine Jones and Bobby Wood. Graham Zusi, Kyle Beckerman and Chris Wondolowski all made their first starts of the tournament in place of Bedoya, Jones and Wood.

Zusi had entered as a substitute in all four previous matches in the tournament, scoring the final goal against Costa Rica that made the difference for the U.S. to finish first in Group A on goal difference.

Beckerman appeared as a sub in the three previous matches, while Wondolowski made his tournament debut.

Seventeen-year-old winger Christian Pulisic saw his second shift of the tournament, coming on at halftime for Wondolowski.

Midfielder Darlington Nagbe also got his second taste of the competition, coming on in the 78th minute for Clint Dempsey.

Steve Birnbaum got his first extended experience in the tournament, replacing Beckerman in the 60th minute; he had previously come on in second half stoppage time vs. Ecuador.

Michael Bradley and Gyasi Zardes have both played in 11 of 12 MNT games in 2016, tied for the team lead.